Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-05-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our RcgulnrCorrospondcnt)
WASHINGTON. MnY 22d. 1887.

(From our RcgulnrCorrospondc
WASHINGTON, May 23d. 1887.
This Is Washirgton's gala week. 1t
will be filled will, martial music, SOL
diers, visitors aud evcnts-brilliant pa
geNnts, exciting competitive drills. reviews
aud street rarades. Probably never since
the final days OF the war; when the armies
Of the Potomac aud OF the West marched
through the great thOromghfare of tins
city, has there been 80 fine military dis
play ns is promised us during the present
week.
The soldiers now encampcd around the
lase uf the Washington Monument repie-
sent thirty one States, and they nre the
flower Of the militia of the country. Many
OF the organizations are noted for their
excellent discipline, and have wou trophies
in State and interstate drill conicsts. ] he
same ground ON which the soldiers of the
war spread their tents and camred has
been assigned as quarters for the visiting
hnitalions aud regiments, and every ap-
pointnent Tor convenience on the field has
been perfected, as well as throughout the
city for the care OF the thousand OF visi-
tors Incidental TO the occasion.
The Drill opened to-day, but this was
the practical business day OF the meeting
The last arrivals OF troops were assigned
to their locations on the camp ground, ihe
camp WIS formally chrstened "Camp
George Washington" orien were Issued
by General Angnr, the commandant Of
camp, and AT 5 o'clock there was formal
opening Of the entertainment by n
dress parade by all Of the assembled
troops. To morrow the competitive drills
will commence.
The judges OF drill are all experienced
army officers, who have passed much time
at the leading institutions where the man
uel of arms was thought Of first in every
thing. The judges program has not been
made known, ot course, and no military
organization will be Informed what ma
neuvers II will be required to perform I'M
Ill il enters the drill ground for each con-
test. The highest prize offered is $4,000
and that is to the best company OF iufan
try.
1t takes quite good deal OF money &c
run the dining room and kitchen erected
on the drill ground for this occasion. The
kitchen is capable of preparing food fol
four thousand persons at time, and i,
fitted up with the largest range in the city
The dining room seats twelve hundred
men, allowing seventeen inches Of room
for each, and the caterer who purchased
this privilege says he can reset the table
every twenty-five minutes. The amount
OF crockery is very large, nearly fifty thous
and pieces. About nineteen hundred o
the soldiers are attempting to do their own
cooking on account OF the bad treatment
they have received heretofore while attend
ing other drills. The caterer hopes, how
ever, to win all of them over to his estub-
lishment by doing well by the soldiers
lie i, under contract with the Drill Com
mitee to charge his military patrons only
|
charge what he pleases.
Wednesday, the 25ih, and Monday, the
30lh, Decoration day will be the two
great days Of The camp in popular eslima-
tion. Wednesday will be Governors day
on which the Governors oi different States
with their stats, will surround the Presi-
dent on grand stand in front of the White
House and review the troops. On Decora.
tion day the soldiers in cemp will lpin the
procession 10 Arlington, the National Gem.
eery, and with the 1rand Army Of the
Republic, take part in the exercises of the
day. In the afternoon OF the same day the
prizes and trophies, the flags and stands
Of colors, the medals and cash premiums
will he presented 10 the successful cumpc-
titors and then the camp will break up.
The viclors will receive their spoils Of
course, from the hands of the President.
The government OF this camp is regular
and rigid according TO Army regulations,
thus giving those who participate an idea
OF actual service, such as many Of them
never had. All commands are subject Ia
camp duty, regular inspection at quarters,
daily dress parade. and all rules, regula-
tions and orders that may he promulgated
by The cOmmnndant of the camp. All
commands entered are required to re-
main during lhe full term OF the camp,
and are not permitted 10 quarter and board
outside Uf it.